Music Professor in Bosnia

David Frego (center) and children in
Bosnia-Herzegovina

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Music Professor Travels to Bosnia to Help Kids

An Ohio State music professor traveled half-way around the world for spring break . . . but his trip was no lap-of-luxury get-away. Instead, David Frego journeyed to Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he used music-movement therapy techniques to help children struggling with physical and behavioral problems in the war-ravaged nation.

Frego, who is assistant director of the School of Music, is one of just a handful of experts in the U.S. in Dalcroze Eurhythmics – a unique approach to music learning. “The Dalcroze approach helps integrate information between the mind and body,” he explains, “using rhythm, dynamics and body movement. In this case, the interactive music-movement therapy helped engage the children in social activities, using creative music and movement to address mental stress.”

Frego said he was struck by the children’s reactions. “It was really wonderful to see the pure joy on the youngster’s faces,” he said. “Their reaction to the music was universal. It just goes to show you that kids are the same everywhere—they always have a sense of wonder.”

His one-week trip was organized through a group known as EDUCON, associated with the Pavarotti Music Centre— founded by Luciano Pavarotti—in Mostar, Bosnia. Frego spent mornings working with children, and afternoons teaching basic music-movement therapy methods to their teachers and social workers. “One week is not enough time to truly change the children’s behaviors, so it was crucial to work with their teachers, who can continue using the activities I taught them,” he explains. “I worked with Muslim, Croatian, Serbian and Jewish teachers there.”

Frego’s presence will also continue to be felt in another way – he is starting a program to gather materials here in the U.S. that will be shipped to children in Bosnia. “I’m collecting music books, CDs and musical instruments for the children to use,” he says. “The materials will be distributed through EDUCON in Bosnia.”

For more information, contact Frego at 292-2870 or by email at frego.1@osu.edu.